Fabric ironing devices



y 13, 1965 H. E. NICOL 3,193,953

FABRIC IRONING DEVICES Filed April 15. 1964 INVEN R HERBERT COL ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,193,953 FABRIC IRONING DEVICES Herbert E. Nicol, Milwaukee, Wis, assiguor to Pratt Manufacturing Corp, Miiwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Apr. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 359,843 g Claims. (CI. 3856) This invention relates to improvements in fabric ironing devices.

In the manufacture of surgical sponges or the like, which sponges usually comprise folded layers of gauze, it is customary to iron the sponges at the tail end of the sponge-making machine. Heretofore sponge ironers have been employed which comprise a rotatable ironing segment having a cylindrical ironing surface rotating in co- Operating relationship with a concentric cylindrical concavity of a heated shoe. With this type of device the sponges were fed into a substantial overhanging position with respect to the concavity of the shoe in order to be picked up by the rotating ironing segment. However, there was always a leading edge portion of the sponge which projected beyond the lead edge of the rotatable ironing segment and which, therefore, never got ironed. This left a bulgy edge on the sponge which is undesirable.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved sponge ironing device which is designed to iron the lead edge as well as the rest of the sponge.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a sponge ironer wherein the ironing segment is loosely covered with a flexible material, and wherein there is a novel yieldingly mounted deflector blade with a deflecting end extending axially of the ironing member to normally cause the fabric covering to protrude in a location which trails the leading edge of the ironing segment. In addition, the concave surface of the heated shoe is formed with a lead portion which is tangential to the normal periphery of the ironing segment to initially coact with the protruding canvas covering in so deflecting and picking up the leading edge of the sponge that it will be in trailing relationship with respect to the leading edge of the-ironing segment, whereby all portions of the sponge will be ironed as the ironin segment advances in its cycle of rotation.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the improved fabric ironing device, and all of its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sponge ironer, parts being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the rotatable ironing segment and its associated shoe, showing 'a sponge by dot and dash lines which is ready to be deflected and picked up;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing only a fragment of the elements of FIG. 2, the parts being in an advanced position from the position of FIG. 2 with the overhanging edge of the sponge deflected by the angular portion of the protruding canvas covering;

FIG. 4 is a View similar to FIG. 3, showing the parts in an advanced position from the position of FIG. 3, with the lead edge of the sponge being picked up by the pick-up blade; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the beginning of ironing action.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device be built in as a part of the sponge-making machine. While Patented July 13, 1965 a device for ironing sponges is illustrated, it is obvious that the invention is applicable to the ironing of other items. Sponge-making machines are well known and are adapted to receive gauze, to cut and fold it, and deliver it in suitable lengths in the forms of folded layers to provide sponges 10 such as are used in surgical procedures. The ironer may include a suitable frame 11 having upright supports 12 and 13. Suitably supported between the uprights is a shoe 14, usually formed of metal, and having heating means 15 therein, usually electric. The shoe has a concave ironing surface 16 which is cylindrical from 17 to 17' (see FIG. 2). At the front of the shoe is a sponge-supporting shelf 18 which extends the length of the shoe. The shelf curves inwardly somewhat, as at 19, to merge into a portion 20 of the shoe concavity which is tangential as indicated by the tangent line T with respect to the cylindrical portion (C) therebeyond.

As shaft 21 is journaled for rotation in floating bearings 22 which are in the upright members 12. These bearings are spring-urged by springs 23, as is well known in the art. The shaft 21 may be driven by any suitable means, such as by transmitting rotation from a suitably driven shaft 25, the latter having a gear 2% thereon which meshes With a gear 27 rigidly mounted on the shaft 21.

Rigidly mounted on the shaft 21 for rotation therewith is an ironing member 28 which has a segmental cylindrical ironing surface 29, preferably extending somewhat in excess of The arrangement is such that the cylindrical surface 29 is concentric with the cylindrical portion C of the concavity 16 of the shoe, as is clear from FIGS. 2 and 5. The cylindrical portion of the segment has axially extending ends 30 and 31. A flexible covering material 32, such as canvas or other fabric, has one end detachably secured to the segment end 3% as by a clamping plate 33, and has its other end detachably secured to the opposite end 31 of the segment by a clamping plate 34. The canvas is supported in relatively loose condition to permit it to be deflected outwardly as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, there being a required amount of slack such as that shown overhanging the space S in FIG. 5.

Slidably mounted in guides 35, of brass or the like, which are mounted axially within the segment, is an elongated blade 36 having a deflecting end 37. The surface of this end is concentric in a transverse direction with the periphery of the cylindrical portion 29. The inner end of the blade is suitably cushioned against springs 38 which normally urge the deflecting end 37 to the projecting position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, said end, however, being yieldingly movable against the springs 38 to a position substantially flush with the periphery 29. Two or more springs spaced longitudinally along the blade 36 and all identical to the spring 38 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 may be employed.

The blade is so mounted that its deflecting end 37 is near but in trailing relationship with respect to the lead edge A of the cylindrical portion 29 of the rotatable iron- .ing member. By referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the blade is so arranged with respect to the periphery 29 that the distance B (FIG. 3) is always substantially equal to the distance C. Thus, B and C are radii of a circle having the center A (FIG. 3). With this arrangement there is no excessive wear on the canvas due to action of the blade end 37 thereon, as this portion of the canvas is not being stretched while moving from position B to position C. The blade 36 is disposed at a non-radial angle, in converging relationship with a radial line R which intersects the blade at the periphery of the cylindrical portion 29. The blade is angled to generally project toward the lead edge A of the cylindrical portion of the ironing member 28.

matched the periphery of the ironing elementthroughout,

the leading edge of the ironing element would engage the overhanging portion of the'jsponge (H in FIG, 2) in trail- :ing relationship with respect to the sponge edge, leaving a portion of the sponge which was never ironed. With the present invention, as the ironing member 2d rotates from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3, the angled portion 39 of the bulging canvas engages the edge of the'overhanging sponge, as shown in FIG. 3, 'to deflect it into a bent position on the tangential lead-in .portion of the concavity of the shoe.

deflection the leading edge A of the cylindrical ironing;

segment 29 passes the leading edge of the sponge it so that when the elements are in the position of FIG. 4-, the

bent leading edge of the sponge is maintained between i the angled portion 39 of the canvas and the tangential portion 24 of the concave ironing surface of the shoe. At this point the leading edge (FIGQ'4) of the deflecting end 37 of the blade acts to pick up thesponge and draw it into the concavity of theshoe. Thereafter, as the.

rotatableironing memberzfl'rotates farther, to the position of FIG. 5, its cylindrical pOrtiOrrZ9 comes into coaction with the concentric cylindrical portion C of the .shoe to cause the bulging canvas to be flattened and the protruding blade to be pushed inwardly against the springs cavity after it has been, pulled into the concavity of the shoe by the action of the blade,

2. An ironing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a loose flexible covering over the curved ironing surface of the ironing member and over the blade end and wherein said deflecting'means includes a portion of said covering which is moved outwardly whenthe blade is in said protruding position 7 H 3. An ironing device as claimed in claiml wherein the cooperating ironing surfaces of the shoe and rotatable ironing member are cylindricaland concentric.

.4. In an ironing device of the type having a heated shoe with a concave ironing; surface, having an ironing member with .a segmental curved ironing surface, said surface having. a lead edge, and said device having means rotatably supporting said ironing member with its curved ironing surface in cooperating position with respect to During such 38, as shown in'FIG. 5,'the leading edge of the sponge 7 being engaged between concentric cylindrical ironing portions C and 29. Thereafter, as rotation of the ironing member vZtlcontinues, the. sponge is drawn'through between the canvas on the cylindrical portion 29v of the' ironing segment and the cylindrical portion of the shoe so that the entire sponge, including itsleading edge, is

ironed. Thus-there is no unironed leading edge to cause.

a bulge in the sponge. i Various changes and modifications may be madeWithout departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims. I What I claim is:

the concave ironing surface of the shoe and sufliciently close thereto to iron work which is engaged between said cooperating ironing surfaces, the improvement'comprising said concave surface of the shoe having a lead-in portion which i s positioned to be in converging tangential relationship with tsaid curved surface of the ironing member, a flexible covering loosely suppolted on the curved surface of the ironing member and extending at least to said lead edge thereof, a deflector blade slidably supported in and extending axially of the ironing member and having an outer deflection end beneath said flexible covering movable to and from a position where it'protrudes beyond said curved surface of the ironing member, said deflectingend being in trailing relationship withirespect to the lead edge of the'curved surface of the ironing member, resilient means normally urging said deflecting end of the blade outwardly beyond the curved surface of the ironing member to deflect the flexible covering outwardly to a position where said canvas has a protruding portion with an angled surface between said lead'edge of the ironing member and the end of the blade for deflecting an overhanging edge of work into a position against said tangential lead-in. portion of the concavity ,ofthe shoe, with the leading edge of the work trailing with respect to the'leading edge of the curved surface of the ironing member whereby the entire area of the work is ironed between the cooperating ironing surface-por- 1. In an ironing device of the type having a shoe with a concave ironing surface, having an ironing memberwith -a segmental curved ironing surface, said surface having a lead edge, and said devicehaving means rotatably supporting said ironing memberwith its curved ironing surface in. cooperating position with respect to the concave ironing surface of the shoe and sufficiently close thereto to iron work which is engaged between said cooperating ironing surfaces, the improvement comprising said concave surface of-the shoe having a lead-in portion which is positioned to be in'converging tangential relationship tions of the ironing member and shoe concavity after it has'been pulled into the concavity of the shoe by the blade.

5. An ironing device .as claimed in c1aim.4 wherein they cooperating ironing surfaces of the shoe and rotatable ironing member are cylindrical and concentric.

6. An ironing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the circumferential length offlexible'covering measured with said cylindrical surface of the ironing member, de-

fleeting means. including a blade extending axially of the ironing member and supported for sliding movement and having an outer deflecting end movable to and from a position where it protrudes beyond said curved surface of the ironing member, said deflecting'end being in trailing relationship with respect to the lead edge'of the curved urging said deflecting end of the blade outwardly beyond the curved ironing surface of the ironing member whereby.

said deflecting means causes deflection of anoverhanging Y end of work into a position against'said tangential lead-in portion of the concavity of the shoe, with the leading edge of the work trailing with'respect to the leading edge of the curved surface of the ironing member whereby the ironing surfaces of the ironing member and shoe. con

. (i5 surface of the ironing member, resilient means normally entire area of the work is ironed between the cooperating between thelead edge of the curved ironing surface and the blade is substantially the same in either position of movement of the blade.

' 7. In an ironing device of the type having a heated shoe with a concave ironing surface, having an ironing member with a segmental curved ironing surface, said surface having a lead edge, and said device having means ro- -tatably supporting said ironing member with its curved ironing surface in cooperating position with respect to "the concave ironing surface of the shoe and sufficiently close. thereto 'to iron work" which. is engaged between said cooperating ironing surfaces, the improvement-comprising said concave surface ofthe shoe having a lead-in portion which is' positioned to be in converging tangential relationship with said curved surface of the ironing member, a work-supporting shelf adjacentsaid lead-in portion, a flexible'c'overing loosely supported on the curved surface of the ironing member and extending at least to saidv lead edge thereofi adei'lector blade slidably supported in and extending axially of the ironing member and having an'ou'ter deflecting end beneath said flexible covering movable to and from a position where'it protrudes beyond said curved surface of the ironing member, said deflecting end being in trailing relationship with respect to the lead edge of the curved surface of the ironing member, resilient means normally urging said deflecting end of the blade outwardly beyond the curved surface of the ironing member to deflect the flexible covering outwardly to a position where said canvas has a protruding portion with an angled surface between said lead edge of the ironing member and the end of the blade for deflecting an edge of work which overhangs said shelf into a position against said tangential lead-in portion of the concavity of the shoe, with the leading edge of the work trailing with respect to the leading edge of the curved surface of the ironing member whereby the entire area of the work is ironed between the cooperating ironing surface portions of the ironing memher and shoe concavity after it has been pulled into the concavity of the shoe by the blade.

8. An ironing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein References ited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 615,906 12/98 Richardson 291l8 X 2,372,774 4/45 Finch 29l 18 X 3,122,089 2/64 Sinclair l0040 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT V. SLOAN, Examiner. 

1. IN AN IRONING DEVICE OF THE TYPE HAVING A SHOE WITH A CONCAVE IRONING SURFACE, HAVING AN IRONING MEMBER WITH A SEGMENTAL CURVED IRONING SURFACE, SAID SURFACE HAVING A LEAD EDGE, AND SAID DEVICE HAVING MEANS ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID IRONING MEMBER WITH ITS CURVED IRONING SURFACE IN COOPERATING POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE CONCAVE IRONING SURFACE OF THE SHOE AND SUFFICIENTLY CLOSE THERETO TO IRON WORK WHICH IS ENGAGED BETWEEN SAID COOPERATING IRONING SURFACES, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING SAID CONCAVE SURFACE OF THE SHOE HAVING A LEAD-IN PORTION WHICH IS POSITIONED TO BE IN CONVERGING TANGENTIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID CYLINDRICAL SURFACE OF THE IRONING MEMBER, DEFLECTING MEANS INCLUDING A BLADE EXTENDING AXIALLY OF THE IRONING MEMBER AND SUPPORTED FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT AND HAVING AN OUTER DEFLECTING END MOVABLE TO AND FROM A POSITION WHERE IT PROTRUDES BEYOND SAID CURVED SURFACE OF THE IRONING MEMBER, SAID DEFLECTING END BEING IN TRAILING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO THE LEAD EDGE OF THE CURVED SURFACE OF THE IRONING MEMBER, RESILIENT MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID DEFLECTING END OF THE BLADE OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE CURVED IRONING SURFACE OF THE IRONING MEMBER WHEREBY SAID DEFLECTING MEANS CAUSES DEFLECTION OF AN OVERHANGING END OF WORK INTO A POSITION AGAINST SAID TANGENTIAL LEAD-IN PORTION OF THE CONCAVITY OF THE SHOE, WITH THE LEADING EDGE OF THE WORK TRAILING WITH RESPECT TO THE LEADING EDGE OF THE CURVED SURFACE OF THE IRONING MEMBER WHEREBY THE ENTIRE AREA OF THE WORK IS IRONED BETWEEN THE COOPERATING IRONING SURFACES OF THE IRONING MEMBER AND SHOE CONCAVITY AFTER IT HAS BEEN PULLED INTO THE CONCAVITY OF THE SHOE BY THE ACTION OF THE BLADE. 